SonicProjects Stringer V-Machine Edition User Manual

SonicProjects

Stringer

V-Machine Edition

www.sonicprojects.ch

Introduction

Congratulations on the purchase of the SonicProjects Stringer VM!

This is a specially adapted version of stringer for exclusive use within the SM Pro Audio
V-Machine. Adaption details: see below.

The Stringer is a high end quality sample based string machine containing a
selection of six string machine sounds sampled from three classic hardware
units: the Logan String Melody II, the Arp Omni 2 and the Welson Symphony.
These three machines all have a unique and different tonal character. The
sounds are available in two independable engines (upper and lower) that can
be mixed and splitted over the keyboard.

V-Machine adaptations:

- a completely new GUI (will come in the standard version soon too)

- keyboard animation is disabled to save cpu

- a new registration mechanism for easy licensing in VFX

- a separate „No-GUI“ version (.vfxdll) for V-Machine internal use only

- no internal CC functionality since this job is more efficiently done with VFX

- the envelope response is automatically set to linear in dual mode

These measures have helped to reduce cpu usage up to 40% in peaks which
was necessary to run it glitch free within the V-Machine. The logarithmic
envelope response in the decay phase took a large amount of cpu, especially
when both engines were stacked, which can lead to up to 20 voices which
need a decay calculation at the same time.

The V-Machine optimization is clever: it switches the logarithmic response to
linear automatically when both engines are active, which needs much less cpu.
The decay phase is a bit stiff and unnatural then, but it's not that important in
stacked sounds which live from the fullnes while playing and which are not
made to listen to decay phases. When the lower engine (B) is switched off
(„ON“ switch inactive) however, the upper engine returns to more cpu intensive
logarithmic response for natural release of single sounds. But not enough with
this: You have the choice between 3 different response curves, each with a

different character. These 3 types can be switched with the Attack knob (ATT)
of the lower engine (which is inactive then anyway). Here are the 3 variants:

ATT set to 0:

Double logarithmic response with fast attack, very natural decay, suitable for
precise and snappy sounds with fast attack (e.g. Organ). CPU: high.

ATT set to 5:

Logarithmic response with a bit softer attack, a bit less natural response,
suitable for softer sounds (e.g. Solina Strings). CPU: mid.

ATT set to 10:

Linear response like in double mode. Suitable for cheezy stuff. CPU: low.

With these response options you have even more possibilities in the upper (A)
engine than in the current standard version. The only thing that's not possible
is logarithmic response in dual engine mode (both engines stacked).

Note that the CPU usage varies between the the 3 modes (see postfix).

The sampleset in the V-Machine is exactly the same as in the standard
version. These are the three sampled string machines:

Logan String Melody II:

Absolutely fabulous sonding string machine built in 1978 by the Italian
company Logan. In Germany, the String Melody II was distributed by Hohner.
The massive wood case and tons of built in electronics gave the device a
heavy weight. The string and organ sounds of this unit are absolutely fat, warm
and exciting. Unlike the ARP units every key had its own envelope. This string
machine has become extremely rare and looked after in the recent years.

Sampled for Stringer:

- Preset 0 (Chorus Strings)

- Organ

ARP Omni II:

The successor of the famous Solina String Ensemble and the Omni I. The
Solina strings were THE strings of the seventies and eighties, used on every
record and on every stage. The Omni units added some enhanced features, a
simple poly synth and a bass synth. Still availabe sometimes, but mostly in bad
shape. The electronics tend to break, and yes, the devices are quite heavy too.
The string sound is very clear and shining and cuts through every mix.

Sampled for Stringer:

- Strings (=Solina Strings)

- Strings without chorus (=synth like)

Welson Symphony:

Quite rare and as well as no info around about it. Built by WEBO electronics in
Passatempo / Italy. This unit has several sections like cello, violin, brass, piano
and harp that can be combined to rich stereo textures (left and right out
available). The sound is beautiful, warm and well balanced - not as aggressive
as the logan. The sounds are ideal for layering to the other to ensembles.

Sampled for Stringer:

- Brass (the lower part is darker)

- Strings (Violin)

The sampling procedure:

To copy the original character of the instruments, every single key was
sampled individually, with exeption of the Welson, where four keys per octave
were sampled. Especially in the logan every key has a slightly different sound,
so this method will bring you the real feel.

The instruments' outputs went directly to an apogee rosetta converter
(amongst the best available) and the keys were recorded at 24bit/44.1kHz. So
there's no loss in signal quality - it's all there as it was real - you have the full
signal without any coloration or bad clock treatment.

There was much time spent to set unhearable loop points in every sample; the
loops are up to 4 seconds and so you won't hear them at all.

The result of this expenditure is the presence of the absolutely original sound
as you have never eperienced before in the virtual world - but without any
noise and with full sequencer and midi control.

Installation

Please read the Installation Guide of the bundle where every step is described
in detail. It's important not to move around single dlls since all files within the
plugin folders are needed. E.g. the V-Machine needs the Non-GUI vfxdll. If
then only move around the whole plugin folder. But the best only move around
the whole library which too includes dedicated banks and effect plugins.

License and copyright

The plugin and the stringer data are bound to the registered user. It's not
allowed to pass them on to third persons. The plugin contains a hidden serial
that allows to identify the original user in case of irregular distribution.